logs | november catch-some!

[ The next morning, Kaito paces near the exit to the Hinterlands. Gloved fingers flex and relax, and he's tempted to conjure a weapon or two to exercise.

Mm, maybe not. The Hierarchy guards posted at the gate seem particularly skittish, and watching some guy dressed in all black probably isn't doing much for their anxiety.

So, he waits. It's a solid twenty minutes before the designated meeting time. Maybe Kaito can run a few laps to warm up. It's not like he was up all night working, y'know? ]

[ she, for one, doesn't look like she's the type who goes on these types of commissions. what kind of adventurer would dress up in all white and then trek through a forest full of unpredictable restless and other creatures?

but there she is, showing up on time with no weapon and just a small messenger bag slung over her shoulder. the guards are unfamiliar to her; they weren't the same ones posted when she and childe headed over to the hinterlands last time. still, already looking high-strung from another person's pacing (definitely the guy she's supposed to meet) and not wanting to startle them or give them cause to suspect her, lumine offers them a slight smile.

a friendly greeting of sorts, you know, to assure them that she's not one of those, uh, restless slowly getting mad—unless mad means getting annoyed over her own shadow's babbling. ]

Hey. [ she waves at the guy in black, slowly making her way towards him. ] Kaito, right?

[ Kaito senses the blonde's approach long before he sees or hears her. His idle pacing continues, however, and he only stops when he catches a glimpse of white and gold out of the corner of his eyes. The guards are probably sighing in considerable relief. Seriously, who just hangs around the border to crazytown like that?

A gloved hand lifts to wave in turn, and its owner flashes a smile. ]

That would be me. [ There's a knapsack slung over his shoulders, its dark green hue the only contrast to his black, white, and gold ensemble. ] Glad to see you, Lumine. I thought the guards might jump me out of sheer nervousness, y'know?

[ she quirks a wider smile at that remark. ]

And escort you through the gates?

[ just in case they mistake him for another one of the restless who needs, well, some form of salvation that can only be found beyond the wall dividing the entirety of stygia from the hinterlands. not that lumine doesn't understand the sentiment of the other restless; being plagued by your own shadow, pushed to the brink of one's sanity isn't exactly safe for anyone.

and a person finds safety if sheltered and protected behind a wall, right?

she walks up to him, glancing at the guards from the corner of her eyes and lowering her voice. they seem to have relaxed for a bit, which is good. ]

It's a one-way trip for anyone who goes past those gates, though. I hope you're ready to sneak back in later.

I'd go kicking and screaming.

[ Kaito shoots a pointed look to the guards, almost as if to challenge them. They do not appreciate the gesture, and their auras radiate an impatience that screams "cross the damn gate already you crazy [planet-agnostic expletive]."

When she steps in, he leans forward and nods his understanding. ]

So I've heard. I'm always happy to sneak past unsuspecting patrols, but I have other options. You seem to have made it back just fine, so I imagine I can pull it off too.

I've ... had my share of sneaking past guards before.

[ to steal, to spy, to pretty much do all kinds of shady things to complete an errand. the things she does to learn more about teyvat.

lumine doesn't miss the look the guards send their way and she starts ushering her companion toward the gate, giving them a reassuring wave that they'll be fine, thanks for their hard work, have a great day. it's really only when they're a few meters past the gates that she can finally relax, stretching her arms over her head.

still, isn't she way too relaxed like this, or is it just because she's finally getting comfortable with the thought that she'll eventually be swallowed by obli—

pushing those dark thoughts aside, she glances at kaito: ] What made you decide to pick up this request? That fishing request seemed pretty easy ...

...Hm. Are you actually a troublemaker?

[ There's a teasing lilt to his question, but he doesn't mind either way. Kaito joins in the farewell gestures as he's escorted off the premises. If he's teasing Lumine, he's definitely trolling the guards.

On cue, his one posture seems to relax considerably once they're out of bounds. Less people means less emotions to be bombarded by, even though he has a very brief brush with something sour from the blonde's aura.

Eh. It's not really worth making a big deal out of right now. ]

It is. That's why I left it up for other folks. It wouldn't be fair to hog all the simple jobs. Besides, I needed an excuse to get a lay of the Hinterlands. You can't learn everything about the Netherworld from books alone. Eventually you'll have to broaden your horizons. Literally, in this case.

[ lumine feigns a shocked look but eventually lets out a laugh instead, amused. troublemaker is an understatement, but in her defense! ]

Not by any conscious choice. Things just happen.

[ which is somewhat ... true. things do just happen that she has to make, you know, morally grey choices that brand her as a troublemaker. though she can't deny that it's, well, sometimes very exciting making said morally grey choices. conflicted feelings are conflicted.

but she agrees with his sentiment on exploring stygia in person with a nod. books can't teach you everything, and after practically consuming the content of various written information in serene, lumine's decided it's time to take a walk. ]

I found that there's a number of settlements out here. I guess there are some Restless who found their peace here with their Shadows and decided not to return to the city.

[ she can't tell if that's comforting or what. ]

[ Kaito cracks a small smirk. ]

I've given that same answer, almost word for word. I guess you're in good company. Or terrible company. [ Kaito very much carries the qualifications to be your run-of-the-mill shounen protagonist... just not always for the other humans. It's a fun time.

...It was a fun time. ]

That's a good way to look at it, but from the bit of digging I've done it almost sounds like the Hinterlands serve more as a home for those who get banished from Stygia. People who aren't clean enough for the Hierarchy's liking.

I'm sure the reality falls somewhere in between, but I'd prefer not to have to personally find out, y'know? I'm no fan of the governing body, but if I'm going to get anything done, I need to fly under their radar.

[ For now. ]

[ hi5 for morally grey shounen protags

at the mention of the hierarchy, lumine finds herself pursing her lips and wrinkling her nose. she's mostly indifferent towards those who comprise that organization, unwilling to get roped into their shenanigans; she's in the netherworld now, she has no reason to meet and greet its leaders unlike she used to back in teyvat.

at the same time, she doesn't understand their motivations. on the one hand, they seem to be concerned about shadows and the oblivium, enough for them to create a matchmaking app. on the other hand, they've said nothing else. ]

Sounds like a group of people I know ...

[ keeping information, ostracizing people who have afflictions—hubris at its finest. if only someone else ruled— ]

Not planning to relocate to the Hinterlands, are you?

[ Opinions on the Hierarchy are subject to change, but in this very moment Kaito doesn't see them in a very good light. He recognizes now that they aren't overtly trying to fuck the emerging Restless over, but he also thinks they're rather useless. "Find your own way," they say. How inflexible.

But he's used to inflexible systems. He'll take care of himself (and anyone else he needs to look after).

Kaito grabs a satchel from his coat, gloved fingers plucking some dried mango pieces to chomp on. ]

Mm. No. I have plans with my business partner to open a facility in the Shadowlands, close to the River of Death. We'll have to gather the materials and build it ourselves. ...Well, we don't have to, but the less I have to rely on institutional services, the better.

The library in Serene is vast, and I've read through a lot of it. I'll learn how to build the house from the bottom up.

[ are they eating already?

lumine rummages through her bag and takes out a pita bread wrapped in oil paper and stuffed with whatever vegetables she could find from the marketplace, handing half of it over to kaito. and since meat can be a little questionable in a place where they're all dead, she's sadly just stuffed in fish. it's the simplest dish she could make without spending too much. ]

Oh? What kind of facility?

[ and in the shadowlands, too. color her curious, especially when she's planning on going back and forth to that region. ]

[ Kaito has a bad snacking habit. When he catches a whiff of that wrap, he has to make a concerted effort Not to Drool. In exchange for half of her dish, he hands over the satchel. It's not just dried mangoes on the inside—there are various roasted, salted nuts, other fruits, and some oats?

A whole-ass trail mix. ]

Thank you. [ Chomp. ] ...Double thank you. This is very good. Chef-approved.

[ He takes a few more bites, chewing slower this time to properly evaluate the flavor and texture... and it's only by the grace of the Archons (and the blonde's question) that he doesn't start rambling about all that mouth feel. ]

A training dojo. My partner plans to teach hand-to-hand techniques. I'll teach magic principles and creature negotiation skills. Our objective is to educate Restless old and new who want to learn how to defend themselves.

...I might also try to build a restaurant into it. If we can afford the extra materials.

[ her smile widens at that compliment. ]

Thank you, I'm glad you like it.

[ cooking has become second nature for someone like her who constantly travels and is always on the go. that, and having paimon as a companion pretty much made it mandatory for her to learn how to cook good food. but she's glad that it turned out well despite some of the ingredients she needs can't be found in stygia.

lumine pops a few dried fruits in her mouth, chewing them thoughtfully. she'll have to ask later where he found the nuts. perhaps she can recreate candied ajilenakh nut in this world, too. ]

A training dojo and a restaurant. That'll be very profitable since those who finish their training would definitely be hungry ...

[ and the restaurant would be right next door. what a great business plan that is. ]

Do you know how much more you need? In terms of materials, I mean.

It's simple but quite satisfying. Good for expeditions like these.

[ His hand dips back and into one of the rucksack's side pockets. A wooden cup is retrieved, and with a snap of his fingers its contents seem to fill with some odorless liquid. It's water.

Siiiip. ]

They would be profitable if my partner and I were trying to turn a profit, yeah. But chances are that we'll offer the services at the lowest cost we can muster, if not for free. It's less about the business and more about preparing other Restless to protect themselves. ...And I like to cook for people.

[ At her inquiry, Kaito drains his cup and shakes his head. ]

A lot. We've only just started mapping out exactly how much material we plan to use. It would have been easier to just repurpose a house in Stygia, but that would defeat the point of having a safe space in the Shadowlands. It'll take some time, but, well, y'know.

We've got a lot of that, the whole urgency posed by the Hierarchy notwithstanding.

[ lumine watches with interest as he fills the cup with water, somehow reminded of how hydro vision holders generate water on their own. she doesn't think he's one since she doesn't see any vision on him (that, and her own friends don't have their own on their person), so she concludes that it might be an innate ability.

would that contribute to his flame resistance then, she wonders. she supposes they'll just have to find out. ]

And the Shadowlands are where the doors are ...

[ with their tethers and all.

lumine had been loathed to leave it there, driven by a sense of duty and obligation to protect them. but there's pretty much nothing else in that region other than the scent of fire and the presence of death. ]

If you need help, just let me know. I'm planning on exploring the Shadowlands myself and if I find any resources that would be useful to your endeavor, I'll be sure to offer them.

[ Well, that's awfully considerate. A little unexpected, too. But maybe that's just Kaito's constant paranoia and distrust talking. Regardless of how many positive connections he's made since starting his new un-life, there are only two people he can trust here, and one of them is himself.

...At least, that's what his Shadow keeps droning on about. Or did. It's been awfully silent since he soulbonded with Hibiki. He's not complaining. ]

I appreciate that. I've been around most of the Shadowlands by now to pick berries. If you can somehow sneak your way into the mines, there's a good chance of collecting ore that can be handed over to the smiths for forging. 'Course, going in there alone is usually a second death sentence, so if you do have a mind to infiltrate the mines, I'd like to come along too.

[ A beat. ]

...So? Have you made some friends since we first chatted on the Netherwork? Discover anyone else from your world who's also been sentenced to this limbo?

[ her eyes seem to brighten at the mention of mines, especially when she's yet to find or explore them. definitely putting it on her to-survey areas soon. ]

Do you think the smiths would pay good coin for those ores? Not that I won't explore it if they won't ...

[ lumine's not normally a hoarder of money unlike paimon, but every single coin counts in this world, especially when she's alone. at the same time, a new area to explore and map out! how exciting, and a part of her wonders if the mine branches to certain areas.

would she be able to find an exit in some part of the netherworld? ]

There's a couple of my friends from ... [ she momentarily hesitates at the word, uncertain if she should even be calling teyvat as such. ] ... home that's recently arrived. From what I was able to gather, they also don't know how they came here. You?

(( gomen big sorry my icons got Hecked so anything before this tag is probably gonna look very out of place ))

[ Nom. Kaito all but devours the rest of his wrap half. ]

Yeah, probably. I'm gonna have to go there anyway, to collect for the project. We can explore together, if you'd like. I'll even rent us some pickaxes, just in case our magic isn't reliable.

[ On the contrary, Kaito is a coin-pincher through and through. Thrifty to a fault, he used to spend a good third of his monthly allowance on cat food for his son while putting out the bare minimum to feed himself (healthily, mind you! he's not into starving). It probably doesn't help that he'll throw his money at other people in need at the drop of a hat. ]

Mm. [ That hesitation has him awfully curious. ] As far as I know, I'm alone. There are other people who are potentially from my world, but it's just as possible that they're from parallel planets similar to mine. So, it's easier to just tell people that I'm all by myself.

[ Easier to handle things that way, too. Hibiki would yell at him for that, especially since they just went through the process of soulbonding... ]

( ooc: dw dw )

That's a good idea. I'd rather not electrocute you.

[ lumine leaves it at that with a chuckle, passing back the bag of trail mix to him after taking a handful of nuts and dried fruit in her palm.

her abilities, borrowed as they are, have been flickering in and out since she arrived in the netherworld. and no amount of focusing and training is enough to fix it. it's annoying and unsettling, how much this place can affect her. to think it doesn't simply stop on her elemental resonance. ]

Ah ... well, I'm very recognizable to the people in that world ...

[ no point in pretending that kokomi and childe are from parallel worlds or universes. even if they were, they clearly knew the traveler anyway. ]

And I don't think I could leave them alone, either.

Ugh. Lightning.

[ His distaste for the element is amplified by the fact that it's not born out of a natural elemental affinity—just the fact that a stray bolt ~~killed~~ struck him when he was a child.

Kaito ties the satchel and casually tosses it back in his coat. Her following replies only further serve to stoke his burgeoning curiosity. ]

Hm. You can't, or you don't want to? [ A lilt of amusement tones his question, and he wipes his previously displeased expression off to smile at her again. ]

Sounds like you're either a celebrity or a figure of renown. Either way, I feel for you. The spotlight's something else. I'm glad I never really had to engage with it back home.

[ note to self: try her best not to summon electro in his presence. ]

I suppose it's a bit of both. Either that, or it's just my bad habit ...

[ lumine's more than aware that kokomi and childe are capable of handling themselves even without her. their visions aside, they're quite talented in their own right. they didn't need her; they've never needed her despite their claims. which honestly just fuels her shadow's glee.

how annoying, she thinks as she drowns out the high-pitched laughter in her head. ]

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

[ being asked to run errands, do chores, save the world–as if she herself doesn't have other things to do. ] What did you engage with back in your world, then?

[ It's only going to get ~~worse~~ better when he eventually canon updates himself next year and acquires his own electricity.

And fish telepathy.

That's going to be a trip. ]

...I think I understand.

[ Instinctively, Kaito smiles. Instinctively, he does understand. That untiring work ethic, born from a desire to be needed, to be wanted.

To belong.

His Shadow has its own opinions, but it's satisfied to know that despite his best efforts to be useful to the other Restless, and even after soulbinding, Kaito still feels out of place. ]

I was a negotiator. When conflicts arose between idiot mortals and irate divines, I was there to bail one side out without cataclysmic consequences. I protected salarymen from angry fortune gods, booted exorcists out of a peaceful spirit's haunted house, and climbed many trees to help bring cats down.

[ There's a distinct fondness in his voice as he recalls some of his past clients. The nostalgia helps against the reality of his current predicament, but he knows the relief is only temporary. ]

And that was my night job. During the day, I cooked ramen.

[ a negotiator between mortals and gods, keeping the peace between the divine and the humans. sounds like something she regularly does during her travel across teyvat, which she honestly would've quit from since day one if it weren't for the fact that said gods are her key to finding her brother.

sometimes, lumine wonders if someone just hates her existence in the universe.

maybe someone does. ]

I'd take your day job any day over your night job, really.

[ what she wouldn't give for a life of peace? not that it was ever an option for her and her brother, she supposes. though finding a home would somehow solve that. ]

I've climbed cathedrals for cats too ...

Cathedrals? That sounds really cool. I think the highest building I've ever climbed to fetch a cat was a ten-story apartment complex. The doors were sealed since there were ghosts possessing the building.

[ At the mention of taking his day job, he snorts and offers her a challenging smile. ]

Sorry, but not just anyone can become the head chef over at Souper Noodle. It takes a special sort of crazy.

[ Souper Noodle? Seriously??? A snap of Kaito's fingers conjures four glimmering silver spheres of energy to form. They mold into the shape of hands before proceeding to open his rucksack and whip out what appears to be a cylindrical container. All so he can keep walking.

Wow. Showoff. The hands offer the container towards Lumine. ]

Seafood ramen. A type of salty broth with noodles and various sea life. Had to make some compromises with a lack of various ingredients, but the flavor is almost identical. That one's yours for when we sit down and have lunch.

@unalign, he doesn't look very fire-resistant...

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